Hinge



March 28, 1961 J. E. cRisERA HINGE Filed Aug. 12, 1959 1N VEN TOR.

."Il lll HINGE JosephE. Grser-.7962 16th Ave., Brooklyn 14, NX.

Fiie-d Aug; 12, 1959Ser. No. S33-,235

6 Claims. (Cl'. lr6-146) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in hinges of the leaf. and pintle type particularly, although not necessarily, for portable picnicV tables, shelves, etc., and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,V a hinge of this character comprising novel means' for automatically lockingand supporting the leaves in open position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an automatic hinge of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details or" construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: Figure l is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal section through a portion of a table, showing mounted thereon a hinge embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view substantially similar to Figure l but on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view thereof;

Figure 4 is a view substantially similar to Figure 1 but showing the hinge closed;

Figure 5 is a view substantially similar to Figure 4 but showing the hinge partially open;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section, showing the hinge closed;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in vertical section substantially similar to Figure 6 but showing the hinge open; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective of portions of the leaves,'the bracket supporting shaft, etc., showing the parts separated.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that reference character 9 designates a portion of a table top comprising a hinged leaf 10. The embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises a pair of generally U-shaped leaves 11 and 12 of suitable metal which are apertured to accommodate countersunk screws 13 for securing said leaves, respectively, beneath the table 9 and the leaf 10. The free ends of the legs 14 of the leaf 12 are provided with aligned knuckles 15 and 16. The free ends of the legs 17 of the leaf 11 are provided with 'relatively short knuckles 13 and 19. The knuckles 18 and 19 extend between the knuckles 15 and 16 and are aligned therewith for the reception of a pintle 20. The knuckle 18, which is adjacent the knuckle 15, is formed to provide a shoulder 21 on its inner end. Adjacent the inner end of the knuckle 1S, the leaf 12 is provided with a finger or projection 22.

Journaled on the pintle 20 between the knuckles 18 and 1% is a tube or sleeve 23, also of suitable metal. On one end the sleeve 23 is provided with a longitudinal lug 24 which projects between the iinger or projection 22 and 2,9?53 Patented Mar. 2b, 1961 the shoulder 21. Fixed at' an intermediate point on the sleeve 23 is a right angularly extending shaft 25.

Jonrnaled at an intermediate point for rotation on the shaft 25 is a generally' triangular bracket or bar 26 of suitable metal. The intermediate portion of the bracket or bar 26 is provided with aligned bearings 27 which are journaled on the shaft 25. Mounted on the shaft 25 and operatively connected to the bracket or bar' 26 for yieldingly urging same toward operative position is a coil spring 28. An opening 29 in the bracket or bar 26 accommodates the spring 28. A stop 30 is provided on the leaf. 1.1 for engagement by one end portion of the bracket or bar 26 for arresting same when it' reaches operative position under the influence of the spring 2S, When in operative position, the end portions of the bracket or bar 26 are engaged beneath the free or outer end portions of'- the. leaves- 11' and 12 for positively supporting said leaves in open position.

It is thought that` the operation of the hinge will be readilyl apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when the hinge is closed the shaft 25 parallels the folded leaves. 11 and 12 and the bracket or bar 26, with the coil spring 28tensioned, parallels the pintle 2@ between said leaves, the spaces between the legs of the l leaves accommodating the bearings 27, said spring 28, etc.

When the leaf 12 is swung toward open position, as in Figure 5 of the drawing, the finger or projection 22 on said leaf engages the lug 24 on the sleeve 23 and swings the shaft 25 toward operative position. When the hinge is fully opened, as in Figure 3 of the drawing, the spring loaded bracket or bar 26 is no longer confined between the leaves 11 and 12. With the bracket or bar 26 thus freed, the coil spring 28 is permitted to function for rotating said bracket or bar to operative position where it is arrested and retained against the tension of said spring by the stop 30. Rotation of the sleeve 23 with the shaft 25 thereon is now prevented by the shoulder 21 and the finger or projection 22 on opposite sides of the lug 24. Of course, to close the hinge the foregoing procedure is substantially reversed. That is, the bracket or bar 26 is rotated on the shaft 25 against the tension of the spring 28 to a position in parallelism with the pintle Ztl. The leaves 11 and 12 are then closed or folded with the bracket or bar 26 therebetween.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. A hinge comprising: a pair of leaves, a pintle pivotally connecting said leaves, a shaft mounted for swinging movement on said pintle, and a bracket journaled on said shaft to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof and engageable with the leaves for locking same in open position.

2. A hinge comprising: a pair of leaves, a pintie pivotally connecting said leaves, a shaft mounted for swinging movement on said pintle and extending between the leaves when said leaves are in closed position, and a bracket journaled on the shaft to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof between the closed leaves and engageable therewith lfor locking same in open position when the hinge is opened.

3. A hinge comprising: a pair of leaves, a pintle pivotally connecting said leaves, a shaft mounted for swinging movement on said pintle and extending between the leaves when said leaves are in closed position, a bracket journaled on the shaft to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof between the closed leaves and engageable therewith for locking same in open position when the hinge is opened, and coacting means on the shaft and on one of the leaves for swinging said shaft to a position at right angles to the leaves when the hinge is opened.

4. A hinge comprising: a pair of generally U-shaped leaves, said leaves including spaced legs and aligned knuckles on the free ends of said legs, a pintle in the knuckles pivotally connecting the leaves, a sleeve jonrnaled on said pintle between said legs, a shaft fixed on said sleeve, and a bracket journaled, at an intermediate point, on said shaft to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof and engageable with the leaves for securing same in open position.

5. A hinge comprising: a pair of generally U-shaped leaves, said leaves including spaced legs and aligned knuckles on the free ends of said legs, a pintle in the knuckles pivotally connecting the leaves, a sleeve journaled on said pintle between. said legs,` a shaft fixed on said sleeve, a bracket journaled, at an intermediate point, on said shaft and engageable with the leaves for securing same in open position, said bracket paralleling the pintle between the leaves when said leaves are in closed position, a spring on the shaft operatively connected to the bracket for actuating same to operative position when the leaves are opened, and means for arresting the bracket in operative position.

6. A hinge comprising: a pair of generally U-shaped leaves, said leaves including spaced legs and aligned knuckles on the free ends of said legs, one of said knuckles including a shoulder, a pintle in the knuckles pivotally connecting the leaves, a sleeve journaled on said pintle between said legs, a shaft fixed on said sleeve, a bracket journaled, at an intermediate point, on said shaft and engageable with the leaves for securing same in open position, said bracket paralleling the pintle between the leaves when said leaves are in closed position, a spring on the` shaft operatively connected to the bracket for actuating same to operative position when the leaves are opened, means for arresting the bracket in operative position, a lug on one end of the sleeve, and a finger on one of the leaves engageable with said lug for swinging the shaft to a position at right angles to the leaves when said leaves are open, said shoulder being engageable with the lug for limiting rotation of the sleeve by the iinger. 

